Geranium plant named Serenade

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct geranium plant known by the cultivar name Serenade is characterized by a large umbel, a large diameter of the corolla, strong zonation of the foliage, and dark green foliage.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of geranium,botanically known as Pelargonium zonale, hereinafter referred to by thecultivar name Serenade.

Serenade is a product of a planned breeding program which had theobjective of creating new geranium cultivars with an intensive-redflower color, single flower form, and dark green foliage with apronounced dark zonation.

Serenade was originated from a hybridization made in a controlledbreeding program in Rheinberg, FRG, in 1982-83. The female parent was anunnamed seedling. The male parent of Serenade was also an unnamedseedling.

Serenade was discovered and selected as one flowering plant within theprogeny of the stated cross by Guenter Duemmen in 1984 in a controlledenvironment in Rheinberg.

The first act of asexual reproduction of Serenade was accomplished whenvegetative cuttings were taken from the initial selection in July 1984in a controlled environment in Rheinberg by a technician working underformulations established and supervised by Guenter Duemmen.Horticultural examination of selected units initiated in July 1984 hasdemonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosedfor Serenade are firmly fixed and are retained through successivegenerations of asexual reproduction.

Serenade has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations inenvironment such as temperature, light intensity, and day length. Thefollowing observations, measurements, and comparisons describe plantsgrown in Rheinberg under greenhouse conditions which approximate thosegenerally used in commercial practice.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe basic characteristics of Serenade which in combination distinguishthis geranium as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Large umbel;

2. Large diameter of the corolla;

3. Strong zonation of the foliage; and

4. Dark green foliage;

Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present inventors, themost similar in comparison to Serenade is Bundeskanzler. In comparisonto Bundeskanzler, Serenade has a larger umbel, and a stronger zonationof the foliage.

The accompanying photographic drawing shows typical flower and foliagecharacteristics of Serenade, with colors being as true as possible withillustrations of this type.

In the following description color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart. The color values were determinedbetween 10:00-11:30 a.m. on Sept. 3, 1986 under natural light atRheinberg in a room with orientation to the north.

Classification:

Botanical.--Pelargonium zonale cv Serenade.

Commercial.--Geranium.

Inflorescence

A. Umbel:

Average diameter.--10 to 12 cm.

Average depth.--7 to 8 cm.

Peduncle length.--12 to 15 cm.

Pedicel length.--3 to 3.5 cm.

B. Corolla:

Average diameter.--4.5 to 5.5 cm.

Form.--Single.

Color (general tonality from a distance of three meters).--ca. RHS 42 Bto 44 B.

Color (abaxial).--ca. RHS 42 B to 44 B.

Color (adaxial).--ca. RHS 42 B to 40 C.

C. Bud:

Shape.--Elliptic.

Color (abaxial).--ca. RHS 40 A.

Color (adaxial).--ca. RHS 40 A.

D. Reproductive organs:

Androecium.--Obdiplostemon, centrifugal dedouplement, fertil.

Gynoecium.--5-lobed stigma, pubescent, 5 carpels, coenocarp hypogyn.

E. Spring flowering response period:

FRG.--50% of plants with at least one flower open 14 weeks after stickof unrooted cuttings.

F. Outdoor flower production: Good.

G. Durability: Good.

Plant

A. Foliage:

Form.--Kidney shaped.

Margin.--Bicrenated.

Color (abaxial).--ca. RHS 136 B to 136 C.

Color (adaxial).--ca. RHS 138 B to 136 C.

Color (zonation).--ca. RHS 136 A.

Tolerance of botrytis.--Good.

B. General appearance and form:

Internode length.--Normal.

Branching pattern.--Good.

Height.--Medium.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of geranium known as Pelargoniumzonala, to be known by the cultivar name Serenade, as described andillustrated, and particularly characterized by the combination ofcharacteristics of: a large umbel; a large diameter of the corolla; astrong zonation of the foliage; and dark green foliage.